Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Cheddar, and Chives Recipe
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, one-skillet breakfast dish packed with ground sausage, melted cheddar cheese, eggs, and crispy tater tots. It’s perfect for a satisfying morning meal that requires minimal prep and bakes up golden and delicious in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sausage Layer
- 12 ounces ground beef breakfast sausage
Egg Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cheese
- 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra to sprinkle over top
Topping
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen Tater Tots (use about half the bag)
- Thinly sliced chives, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the sausage: Warm a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef breakfast sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat once done.
- Mix eggs and seasoning: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 8 large eggs, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper until fully combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese on top of the sausage. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese and sausage layer.
- Arrange the Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen Tater Tots over the egg mixture in concentric circles, starting either from the outer rim of the pan and moving inward or vice versa. Use about half the bag (reserve the rest for another use).
- Bake: Place the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the cheese has melted. If desired, add extra shredded cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking to melt.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly, then cut into wedges. Garnish with thinly sliced chives before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the casserole to another baking dish.
- You can substitute breakfast sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add diced vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the sausage while cooking for extra flavor.
- Reserve unused Tater Tots for another dish or snack; they freeze well.
- Let the casserole rest briefly after baking to make cutting easier and neater.
